Mining Machine, In Particular Surface Miner, As Well As Method For The Removal And Installation Of A Transport Device In A Mining Machine

ABSTRACT

In a mining machine for the processing of a ground surface, including a machine frame, a cutting drum mounted in the machine frame, a first conveyor which accepts mining material from the cutting drum, and a second conveyor which accepts the mining material from the first conveyor, a grease tensioner is connected to an upper roller of the second conveyor. A grease feeding connection is accessible by a person standing on the ground and is communicated with the grease tensioner.

We, Winfried von Schönebeck, a citizen of Germany, residing atVettelschoss, Germany; Thomas Mannebach, a citizen of Germany, residingat Langenfeld, Germany; Cyrus Barimani, a citizen of Germany, residingat Königswinter, Germany; and Günter Hahn, a citizen of Germany,residing at Königswinter, Germany, have invented a new and useful“Mining Machine, In Particular Surface Miner, As Well As Method For TheRemoval And Installation Of A Transport Device In A Mining Machine”.This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.12/723,824, filed Mar. 15, 2010, which claims priority from GermanUtility Model Application No. 20 2009 003 824.6 filed Mar. 20, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a mining machine, in particular a surfaceminer, as well as a method for the removal and installation of atransport device in a mining machine.

Such mining machines are employed in opencast mining, earthwork and rockoperations, where such a mining machine cuts, crushes and loads rock,for instance, in a single operational step without requiring blastingoperations.

The mining machine is also suitable for the exploitation of gypsum, softlimestone or coal. A cutting drum is used as the mining tool, whichtransfers the mining material to a first transport device that isarranged inside the machine frame in a permanent yet replaceablefashion. The mining material is transported diagonally upwards on thefirst transport device to a point of discharge, where the miningmaterial is discharged onto a second transport device, the lower end ofwhich is located below the upper end of the first transport device. Thesecond transport device transports the mining material from a point ofacceptance at the lower end of the second transport device also upwardsto a point of discharge, where the mining material can be dischargedeither onto a transport vehicle or else to the side of the miningmachine. To this effect, the second transport device is slewablelaterally about ±90° to either side by means of a conveyor suspensiondevice for the second transport device, which is slewable about avertical axis that passes through the point of acceptance in a virtualfashion. In addition, the second transport device is pivotable about ahorizontal pivoting axis in order to bring the upper end of the secondtransport device to a desired discharge height. The parameters verticaland horizontal are to be understood to mean that the mining machine isstanding on horizontal ground.

Such mining machines create the disadvantage that, as a result of themining material being transferred from the first transport device to thesecond transport device, the transport devices inevitably overlap. Inparticular with sharp-edged mining material, it is necessary to replacethe transport belt of a transport device in the event of the same beingdamaged.

Removal of the first transport device is also frequently required in theevent of other operational malfunctions of the first, permanentlyinstalled transport device. Removal of the first transport device issignificantly impeded, however, by the arrangement of the secondtransport device, with damage being caused to the second transportdevice during removal representing an additional risk. As a result,installation and removal of the first transport device is extremelytime-consuming as, for instance, the transport belt cannot be replacedwith the first transport device being in the installed position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the invention to create a mining machineof the type first mentioned above, as well as a method for theinstallation and removal of a permanently installed transport device ina mining machine, which enable the installation and removal of thetransport device with little expenditure of time.

The invention provides in an advantageous manner that the conveyorsuspension device, together with the second transport device, ispivotable about a second horizontal pivoting axis relative to themachine frame. The second transport device, together with the conveyorsuspension device carrying it, can thus be pivoted about a certainangle, for instance, of 30°, so that the lower end of the secondtransport device is no longer located below the upper end of the firsttransport device. To this effect, machine elements are used in anadvantageous manner which are present in the mining machine already. Theconveyor suspension device is connected to the machine frame in anarticulated fashion, and the second pivoting axis is provided at theconveyor suspension device in such a fashion that the conveyorsuspension device, together with the second transport device, can bepivoted out of the area of overlap.

To this effect, the second horizontal pivoting axis is offset, at leastin vertical direction, upwards relative to the first pivoting axis.

It may be provided that the second horizontal pivoting axis shows, atleast during pivoting of the conveyor suspension device, a verticaldistance to the ground that is larger than the direct distance of thepivoting axis to the lower outer end of the second transport device.

It is preferably provided that the conveyor suspension device is capableof being locked in a working position for slewing of the secondtransport device and in a pivoting position for the installation andremoval of the first transport device.

The conveyor suspension device is pivotable relative to the machineframe, with the second horizontal pivoting axis being supported in anelement of the machine frame in which locking devices may also beprovided that lock the conveyor suspension device in two differentpivoting positions.

In detail, the element of the machine frame comprises plates which arearranged on both sides of the conveyor suspension device and, on the onehand, support the second horizontal pivoting axis at its ends and, onthe other hand, are provided with bores which are offset in an angularfashion about a desired angle, e.g. 30°, relative to the secondhorizontal pivoting axis. Bolts engage with the conveyor suspensiondevice through said bores, enabling the conveyor suspension device to besecured in the respective angular positions. It is understood that thelocking bolts may be set not only manually but may also be brought intoa locking or releasing position by means of a drive.

A slewing ring mounted on the machine frame is slewable about thevertical slewing axis and carries, on one side of the slewing ring, theconveyor suspension device for the second transport device. Acounterweight may additionally be provided on the opposite side.

The counterweight serves the purpose of compensating the moments actingon the machine frame as a result of the weight loading and the slewingposition of the second transport device.

Pivoting of the conveyor suspension device may be effected by means of amotorized aid, in which case, for example, in the area of the secondhorizontal pivoting axis, a preferably hydraulic rotational drive,possibly combined with a reduction gear, pivots the conveyor suspensiondevice about the second horizontal pivoting axis relative to the machineframe.

Alternatively, a positioning mechanism fastened to the slewing ring orto the machine frame may engage with the conveyor suspension device at avertical distance from the second horizontal pivoting axis in order topivot the conveyor suspension device about the second horizontalpivoting axis.

For example, a positioning mechanism of a moving mechanism for thecounterweight may also be used for pivoting of the conveyor suspensionunit.

The second transport device is provided with a continuously revolvingtransport belt which is guided over a drive roller and a return rollerat the ends on both sides. The drive roller is preferably arranged atthe upper end of the second transport device and can, for the purpose oftensioning, be moved outwards via a belt tensioning device.

In accordance with prior art, it is provided to move the axis of thedrive roller by means of threaded bolts. To this effect, a mechanicwould need to proceed to the upper point of the second transport device,the end of which may be located at a considerable height. It isunderstood that this involves a significant expenditure of time.

In an advantageous further development of the mining machine, it istherefore provided that the belt tensioning device consists of a greasetensioner. This offers the advantage that the belt tensioning device canbe operated from a remote location.

A grease feeding device for the grease tensioner may be provided, forexample, which extends across the entire length of the second transportdevice and which is provided, at the lower end of the second transportdevice or at the machine frame, with a grease feeding connection in sucha fashion that the grease feeding connection is accessible to a personstanding on the ground.

In working position, the conveyor suspension device is connected to themachine frame via the second horizontal pivoting axis, and is secured inthe working position by means of locking bolts which are guided throughan element of the machine frame and which engage with the conveyorsuspension device.

When the permanently installed transport device is to be removed, thelocking device for the pivoting position of the conveyor suspensiondevice is released first, and the conveyor suspension device is thenpivoted, by means of a drive, about the second horizontal pivoting axisuntil the desired and pre-selected pivoting position has been reached.Subsequently, the locking devices are inserted again in order to lockthe conveyor suspension device in the pivoting position.

Pivoting the conveyor suspension device also pivots the lower end of thesecond transport device in such a fashion that the same no longeroverlaps with the upper end of the permanently installed transportdevice that is mounted inside the machine frame. The permanentlyinstalled transport device, which is detached from the machine frame atthe upper end first, can then be lowered by means of, for instance, alifting device, in particular a rope-and-pulley device.

In a third step, the lower end can be detached from the machine frame.The conveyor suspension device can then be pivoted back into its workingposition and locked therein. Once the removed first transport devicerests freely on the ground, the required maintenance procedures, forinstance, the replacement of a belt, can be performed with ease ofaccess. Installation of the first transport device is effected inreverse sequence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, one embodiment of the invention is explained ingreater detail with reference to the drawings.

The following is shown:

FIG. 1 a mining machine, in particular a surface miner, with a first andsecond transport device in locked working position,

FIG. 2 the conveyor suspension device in locked pivoting position,

FIG. 3 disassembly of the permanently installed transport device, anddriving away of the mining machine,

FIG. 4 pivoting back of the conveyor suspension device,

FIG. 5 fastening of the first transport device to the machine frame, and

FIG. 6 the first transport device in removal position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a mining machine 1, namely a surface miner for theprocessing of mining material, such as rock, limestone or coal andsimilar.

The mining machine 1 comprises a machine frame 2 in which a cutting drum4 is supported that is used to mill off the mining material from theground 3. To this effect, the cutting drum 4 shown in FIG. 1 is loweredto the ground 3 and brought to a pre-selected milling depth. Owing toits rotating movement, the cutting drum 4 throws the mining materialonto a first transport device 6 supported in the machine frame 2 in apermanent yet removable fashion, said first transport device 6extending, starting from the cutting drum 4, diagonally upwards in themachine frame 2. The first transport device 6 has a continuouslyrevolving transport belt 7, which discharges the mining material at theupper rear end 22 of the first transport device 6 onto a point ofacceptance 18 of a second transport device 12. The first transportdevice 6 is suspended in a conveyor shoe 9 at its lower front end, andis fastened to the machine frame in a detachable fashion at its upperend 22.

The second transport device 12 is also provided with a continuouslyrevolving transport belt 50, which transports the mining material fromthe point of acceptance 18 in the lower area of the second transportdevice 12 to a point of discharge 20 where the mining material can beloaded on a vehicle or can also be discharged to the side on the ground3.

The second transport device 12 is carried by a conveyor suspensiondevice 10 which is fastened to the machine frame 2 in a pivotablefashion. The second transport device has a lower end 14 and an upper end15. The conveyor suspension device 10 comprises, for instance, a portal13 which holds the second transport device 12 between struts 11. Theparallel, preferably vertically extending struts 11 of the portal 13 areangled, at their lower end, towards the front in the direction of themachine frame 2, and accommodate, at their end facing the lower end 14of the second transport device 12, a horizontal pivoting axis 24 inorder to support the second transport device 12 in the conveyorsuspension device 10 in a pivotable fashion. A positioning mechanism 16in connection with a wire rope 17, which are mounted at the upper end ofthe portal 13 in a pivotable fashion, enable the second transport device12 to be altered with regard to its angle of incline, and thus theheight of the point of discharge 20 to be determined. To this effect,the wire rope 17 engages preferably in the upper third of the secondtransport device 12.

The conveyor suspension device 10 is pivotable about a second horizontalpivoting axis 28, which is supported in the vertical struts 11 on theone hand, and at an element 25 of the machine frame 2 on the other. Theelement 25 of the machine frame 2 comprises two plates 26 of essentiallytriangular shape which are provided, at their lower end, with holes 27and 29 for locking bolts to be passed through. The holes 27 and 29 arespaced in an angular fashion about a desired pivoting angle for theconveyor suspension device 10. This pivoting angle may, for instance, be30°. In the working position shown in FIG. 1, locking bolts are insertedin the holes 27 so that the struts 11 of the conveyor suspension device10 are locked in vertical position. In the pivoting position of theconveyor suspension device 10 shown in FIG. 2, the locking bolts areplaced in the holes 29, namely in both struts 11 that run parallel toone another on both sides of the second transport device 12. Theconveyor suspension device 10 is thus locked in the pivoting positionshown in FIG. 2.

To pivot the conveyor suspension device 10, a positioning mechanism 36is used in connection with a pull rope 38 that engages, at a verticaldistance from the pivoting axis 28, at the upper end of the struts 11,namely preferably at both struts 11 of the portal 13.

The positioning mechanism 36 may be directly coupled to the machineframe 2 or, as shown in the drawings, may be fastened to a slewing ring30 which is slewable about a vertical axis 8 relative to the machineframe 2 about, for instance, ±90°, thus allowing slewing of the secondtransport device 12 to the side via the conveyor suspension device 10.

A movable counterweight 34 may be arranged at the slewing ring 30 on theopposite side of the conveyor suspension device 10, said counterweight34 being capable of being moved to different positions for the purposeof reducing any moments acting on the machine frame 2. The counterweight34 can therefore be moved outwards to different extents in accordancewith the degree of loading of the second transport device 12 with miningmaterial and in accordance with the lateral slewing position andvertical pivoting position of the second transport device 12. Thepositioning mechanism 36 mentioned earlier may be used to this effect,which is capable of moving the counterweight 34 outwards to differentextents on a slide 39 by means of a link mechanism 44.

As explained earlier, the positioning mechanism 36 may also be used inan advantageous manner to pivot the conveyor suspension device 10.

In the position shown in FIG. 2, the first transport device can bedisassembled by first detaching the front end 22 of the first transportdevice 6 from the machine frame 2, and the first transport device thenbeing lowered, as shown in FIG. 3, via a lifting device, for instance, arope-and-pulley device. FIG. 3 shows the first transport device 6 inlowered position, in which the conveyor suspension device 10 has beenpivoted back into the working position. It is understood that theconveyor suspension device 10 may remain in the pivoting position.

After lowering of the front end of the first transport device 6, thefastening means of the first transport device 6 at the conveyor shoe 9can be detached, thereby enabling the first transport device 6 to beentirely detached from the machine frame 2.

The mining machine 1 can subsequently be driven away in forwarddirection, which results in the first transport device 6 being fullyexposed so that maintenance procedures can be carried out quite easily.FIGS. 5 and 6 show the holding device 46 for the lower front end of thefirst transport device 6 at the conveyor shoe 9.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a mounting plate 48 which can be used tofasten the first transport device 6 to the conveyor shoe 9 on bothsides. Bearing bolts 55 projecting in lateral direction from the firsttransport device 6 can be extracted, after removal of the mountingplates 48 on both sides, from the holder 46, for instance, by means ofmoving the mining machine 1 forward, in which case the laterallyprojecting bearing bolts 55 can glide down on the slants 56 on bothsides of the conveyor shoe and can set the first transport device 6 downon the ground 3.

Tension of the transport belt 50 of the second transport device 12 canbe maintained by means of a belt tensioning device consisting of agrease filled tensioning cylinder also referred to as a grease tensioner58, with the grease tensioner acting on the linearly movable axle 60 ofthe upper drive roller 52 of the transport belt 50.

The continuously revolving transport belt 50 is driven via the upperdrive roller 52 and is returned via the lower return roller 54. Thegrease tensioner 58 comprises a grease feeding device 62 that extendsdownwards along the second transport device 12 and leads to a greasefeeding connection 64 which is accessible from the ground 3.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mining machine for the processing of a ground,with a machine frame, a cutting drum mounted in the machine frame, afirst transport device which accepts mining material from the cuttingdrum, a second transport device which accepts the mining material fromthe first transport device and transports the mining material upwards toa point of discharge, where the second transport device comprises acontinuously revolving transport belt that is guided over a drive rollerat an upper end of the second transport device and over a return rollerat a lower end of the second transport device, and a belt tensioningdevice arranged for moving the upper drive roller for the purpose oftensioning the transport belt, characterized in that the belt tensioningdevice comprises a grease tensioner.
 2. The mining machine in accordancewith claim 1, further comprising a grease feeding device for the greasetensioner extending along the second transport device, the greasefeeding device including at the lower end of the second transport devicea grease feeding connection.
 3. The mining machine in accordance withclaim 2, wherein the grease feeding connection is accessible to a personstanding on the ground.
 4. The mining machine in accordance with claim1, further comprising a grease feeding device for the grease tensionerextending along the second transport device, the grease feeding deviceincluding at the machine frame a grease feeding connection.
 5. Themining machine in accordance with claim 4, wherein the grease feedingconnection is accessible to a person standing on the ground.
 6. Themining machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the drive rollerincludes a linearly movable axle; and the grease tensioner is operablyconnected to the axle for moving the axle along a length of the secondtransport device.
 7. A mining machine for processing a ground surface,comprising: a machine frame; a cutting drum supported from the machineframe; a first conveyor arranged to receive mining material from thecutting drum; a second conveyor having an upper end and a lower end, thesecond conveyor including an upper roller at the upper end and a lowerroller at the lower end, and a transport belt extending between theupper roller and the lower roller, the lower end of the second conveyorarranged to receive mining material from the first conveyor; and agrease tensioner connected to the upper roller and configured to movethe upper roller to tension the transport belt.
 8. The mining machine ofclaim 7, wherein the upper roller is a drive roller and the lower rolleris a return roller.
 9. The mining machine of claim 7, furthercomprising: a grease feeding connection located at a location accessibleto a person standing on the ground, the grease feeding connection beingcommunicated with the grease tensioner.
 10. The mining machine of claim9, wherein the location of the grease feeding connection is adjacent thelower end of the second conveyor.
 11. The mining machine of claim 9,wherein the location of the grease feeding connection is on the machineframe.
 12. The mining machine of claim 9, further comprising: a greaseconduit extending from the grease feeding connection to the greasetensioner.
 13. The mining machine of claim 12, wherein the greaseconduit extends along substantially an entire length of the secondconveyor.
 14. The mining machine of claim 7, wherein: the upper rollerincludes a linearly movable axle; and the grease tensioner is operablyconnected to the axle for moving the axle along a length of the secondconveyor.
 15. The mining machine of claim 14, wherein the upper rolleris a drive roller.
 16. A machine for processing a ground surface,comprising: a machine frame; a cutting drum supported from the machineframe; a first conveyor arranged to receive processed material from thecutting drum; a second conveyor having an upper end and a lower end, thesecond conveyor including an upper roller at the upper end and a lowerroller at the lower end, and a transport belt extending between theupper roller and the lower roller, the lower end of the second conveyorarranged to receive processed material from the first conveyor; atensioner connected to the upper roller and configured to move the upperroller to tension the transport belt; and a tensioner operating locationon the machine and remote from the tensioner.
 17. The machine of claim16, wherein the upper roller is a drive roller and the lower roller is areturn roller.
 18. The machine of claim 16, wherein: the tensioneroperating location is accessible to a person standing on the ground. 19.The machine of claim 18, wherein the tensioner operating location isadjacent the lower end of the second conveyor.
 20. The machine of claim18, wherein the tensioner operating location is on the machine frame.21. The machine of claim 16, further comprising: an operating conduitextending from the tensioner operating location to the tensioner. 22.The machine of claim 21, wherein the operating conduit extends alongsubstantially an entire length of the second conveyor.
 23. The machineof claim 16, wherein: the upper roller includes a linearly movable axle;and the tensioner is operably connected to the axle for moving the axlealong a length of the second conveyor.
 24. The machine of claim 23,wherein the upper roller is a drive roller.
 25. A method of operating amachine for processing a ground surface, the machine having a machineframe, a cutting drum supported from the machine frame, a first conveyorarrange to receive processed material from the cutting drum, and asecond conveyor having an upper end and a lower end, the second conveyorincluding an upper roller at the upper end and a lower roller at thelower end, and a transport belt extending between the upper roller andthe lower roller, the lower end of the second conveyor arranged toreceive processed material from the first conveyor, the methodcomprising: tensioning the second conveyor from an operating locationaccessible to a person standing on the ground surface.
 26. The method ofclaim 25, wherein: the tensioning step includes feeding grease into agrease connection at the operating location and communicating the greasewith a grease tensioner connected to the upper roller.
 27. The method ofclaim 26, wherein: the tensioning step further includes extending thegrease tensioner to move the upper roller longitudinally along a lengthof the second conveyor.
 28. The method of claim 25, wherein: thetensioning step includes feeding fluid into a fluid connection at theoperating location and communicating the fluid with an extendible ramconnected to the upper roller.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein: thetensioning step further includes extending the ram to move the upperroller longitudinally along a length of the second conveyor.
 30. Themethod of claim 28, wherein the extendible ram is a grease tensioner andthe fluid is grease.